One dead, 22 missing in Indonesia boat sinking

The KM Surya Indah sank in the Mahakam river late Thursday, said Chaka Ari Sanyono, from the local search and rescue agency.

"One person was killed and 22 remain missing, while 74 passengers were rescued," he said, adding that local military and police units had helped in the rescue effort.

The ship set sail Thursday morning from Samarinda city in East Kalimantan province, destined for Melak port in the island's western part.

Such accidents are common in Indonesia, where ships and boats have a poor safety record and where the 240-million population is scattered over a vast archipelago of more than 17,000 islands.